The Mississippi Bar filed a complaint against Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith at the Mississippi Supreme Court after two Hinds County Judges reported him to the Bar. The actual complaint is posted below. The bar complaint provides the following information:
*The Bar took note of Smith's conduct (p.2) in Judge Melvin Priester, Sr.'s courtroom on March 3 in the preliminary hearing for Christopher Butler. Earlier post reporting hearing. Copy of transcript included. The complaint states

8. Mr. Smith interrupted the proceedings and accused the Attorney General's Office of misconduct in an unrelated investigation.

9. Judge Priester ultimately postponed the preliminary hearing in the Butler matter due to Smith's conduct.

The disruption allegedly violated the rules that bar a lawyer from "engaging in conduct intended to disrupt a tribunal". Mr. Smith was not a party in the case and filed no motion to intervene or similar actions. He simply appeared unannounced and proceeded to make various charges and accusations against the Attorney General's prosecutors.

The actual bar complaint is posted below (p.6.) and states Judge Priester reported Smith to the Bar in a March 14 letter. Judge Priester's letter states:

Pursuant to the reporting requirements of Cannon 3D(2 ) of the Cannon of Judicial Ethics, it pains me to report that on March 3, 2016, Mr. Robert Smith, District Attorney for Hinds County, appeared before me in my courtroom and proceeded to act irrational, manic. and virtually out of control. Further, he could not stand still for any period of time and continuously moved back and forth from his seat, to the podium or up and down in his seat, even as other attorneys were addressing the bench. I have attached hereto a copy of the transcript for the sake of time; and while recognizing you cannot get an emotional flavor from this document that nevertheless. it must be taken into consideration.

Again, while I regret having to file this report, Mr. Smith's behavior was so bizarre, I am required to do so. Should you have any questions, concerns. or requests for additional information. please do not hesitate to contact me.

It appears the Bar took Judge Priester's letter seriously.

*The Attorney General attempted to quash several grand jury subpoenas issued by the D.A in January. (p.3) Senior Circuit Judge Tomie Green appointed Amy Whitten as a special master to hear the A.G.'s petition. The D.A. allegedly tried to contact Ms. Whitten ex parte (Ex parte is communication with the judge outside of the presence of other parties or attorneys. It is usually proper for non-adversarial proceedings such as adoptions or guardianships. It is not so proper for adversarial proceedings such as oh, criminal cases and grand jury proceedings.) Judge Green issued an order prohibiting such ex parte communication. Smith charged Judge Green "had improper ex parte communications with other lawyers, improperly set bond and dismissed criminal cases 'behind his back'". (See how such public complaints turned out for Chokwe Lumumba, Sr.).

The Bar said the rules bar lawyers from communicating with judge's ex parte during a proceeding, attempting to disrupt a tribunal, and attacking the integrity of a judge. (p.4). Judge Green stated in a letter to the Bar on February 17:

l am appalled at your malicious and unprofessional statements made during a February 12, 2016 news conference. Your conduct was intentional, retaliatory and improperly coercive at a time when l had under advisement an issue dealing with the impropriety of subpoenas you issued. Consequently, your accusations caused my family and I to endure unflattering, destructive and dangerous repercussions from the public. Your statements were intentional, and you knew or should have known they would evoke unwarranted outrage by Hinds County citizens.

I demand that you publicly retract your allegations that this Court had improper ex parte communications with Atty. Faye Peterson and/or other attorneys, and that I improperly set bond for Timothy Owens or any other person. Further. I demand that you retract accusations that I dismissed criminal cases "behind your back".

You publicly violated, at least, Rule 9.1 of the UCCRR, and Rules 3.5, 3.6 and 8.4 of the Mississippi Rules of Professional Conduct and DR7-i06(C)(6) of the Disciplinary Rules. I charge that your actions were also unethical as district attorney. You were deceptive and dishonest. Overall, your false accusations are prejudicial to the administration of justice and impede the orderly progression and disposition of criminal cases in our district.

Judge Green also reported to the bar in a handwritten letter attached to the letter quoted above:

I am attaching other documents that proceeded our DA's news conference on 2/12/16. I had under consideration grand jury subpoena that were challenged by the Atty Gen & his staff, the MDOC Marshall Fisher and staff (formerly of MBN). I appointed Amy Whitten as special master. The DA attempt to contact and harass her. I issued a clarification order prohibiting ex parte contact by him or any other party. He never ceased.

On 2/9/16, the DA slipped a handwritten note under my office door "trying to get me to meet with his mother." I know of his mother but have no personal relationship with Alice Smith. I emailed him to let him know the note and request was odd and improper.

The next day his mom left a voicemail at my office. She said it was left in response to me but I never talked to her. She was a bit irate and demanded respect and said she knew "what to do". I can email you the voicemail for review.

Then came the news conference after Amy Whitten's recommendation and my acceptance of the same.

Judge Green includes a handwritten letter that was allegedly written and signed by the D.A. :

Judge Green replied to Smith in an email that said she was "puzzled" about why he wanted her to meet with his mother. She called the request "odd" and said it was "improper for me to meet with your or your mother about specific or unspecified matters."

I STAND WITH THE DA! HE IS A GREAT PERSON. THEY NEVER WANT TO SEE A BLACK MAN IN POWER DOING THE RIGHT THING. SOMEONE ALWAYS HAS TO TRY TO TEAR HIM DOWN. ATT. ROBERT SMITH IS THE BEST THING THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO HINDS COUNTY.

JJ has posted about Ed Peters before. Ed Peters tenure ended before JJ came alone. Bill Minor wrote about him quite a bit when he worked at the Capital Monitor. We also didn't have access to court cases online as we do now nor did we have social media and blogs. JJ has also heard how over the years a certain group of former prosecutors seemed to get favorable treatment for their clients while he was D.A.

Hope whoever is sitting on the Mississippi Supreme Court does right by Judge Tomie Green, Melvin Priester Sr. & the citizens of the state of Mississippi. When will the state highest court take action of this festering wound.

So Tommie Green and Melvin Priester are now shining examples of the integrity of the rule of law. Neat.

Pray tell, how do you have ex parte proceedings in a grand jury? A. There is no judge. B. They are as far removed from adversarial as you can get. Short of a cross notice, which almost never, ever happens, they are as one sided as anything can be.

To this day, no one has yet to explain why the DA office, the investigators and Judge Weill are having email conversations. That is, by far, the most troubling aspect to all this. As someone who has had the misfortune of dealing with RSS on the other side, I find the allegations of unethical behavior not surprising at all. But to have a sitting circuit judge blatantly flaunting the Judicial Canons, in some kind of Judge Dredd wannabe way, I find terrifying. RSS and Co. F'in up a 2 car funeral isn't a shock, but when you've got a Roy Bean copycat backing them up, we've got a huge problem.

Some people get elected because of the color of their skin.Some people get elected because of the D or R after their name.Some people get elected because they are better looking than the opposition.Some people get elected because they use tax money to buy voters.

I haven't heard of anyone getting elected because of their knowledge, experience, or honesty in a long time. Guess that went out of style.

@952 i personally like chris rocks video (how not to get your ass beat by the police)this should be what Tony Y plays at his community meetings,i was logged in my google account when i deleted those comments i made yesterday,,,sorry too much adult beverage.

Who is the Hottest Reporter in Jackson?

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything). Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up. In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!